The Flaming Star Nebula - IC405, seen at the bottom - is an emission/reflection nebula that is close to the runnaway star AE Aurigae. AE Aurigae is bulletting through space at an abnormally high velocity relative to its nebula. The effects of its motion can be observed within nebula IC405. This image also contains IC410 - an emission nebula - which can be seen at the top of this image. IC410 is best known for its tadpole like star forming clumps seen in its left side.

This galactic pair has nicknamed after both of them – the curve of a porpoise or a dolphin can be seen in the blue- and reddish shape towards the bottom of the frame, when paired with the glowing orb just beneath it, resemble a bird or penguin guarding an egg.

The form of the penguin itself is made up of a single galaxy that has been distorted and ripped apart. This galaxy, named NGC 2936, was once a normal spiral like the Milky Way, until it started interacting with its egg-like neighbour, an elliptical galaxy named NGC 2937. Together, these two galaxies make up a pair dubbed Arp 142.

The pair is pulling each other and interacting, slowly changing their appearances and disrupting their gas, dust and stars. In around a billion years these two might come together to form a single galaxy, and the merging process will be complete.

Two similar views of Earth, taken a decade apart by an astronaut and a comet chaser! The first photo was taken by Rosetta’s navigation camera. The second was taken by ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti on board the International Space Station from about 410 km altitude.